Torn on swimwear purchase for upcoming trip...need advice, please - YouLookFab Forum

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Torn on swimwear purchase for upcoming trip...need advice, please

abc

Veteran

I have to go to Brazil for work fairly often. In early September my husband will be joining me and we will be taking a few days at the end of the trip to visit Rio, which is an extra add-on after my work visits to 2 different Brazilian cities. This will be our first trip without kids since they were born, so a pretty big deal for us.

My conundrum is this.

I have read/heard that in Brazil everyone, and that means EVERYone, wears 2 piece swimsuits.

I only own two black Speedo one pieces I use for swimming at the sports club. They are somewhat flattering, but fashionable, no, nor do I feel super hot and sexy in them (the way I want to feel on a Brazilian beach!)

On one hand I say, spend the money to get a suit that makes me feel fab - worth the $ to feel fab on the Brazilian beach.

The other side of me says why spend $$ on a suit that you might wear once or twice on this vacation.

Plus I am starting a healthy living program and hope to lose weight. Currently I'm on the cusp between regular and plus sizes and I shop both departments.

I will be visiting the US in a few weeks so I could order online and try on / return when I am there.

The suits I have my eye on are:

1. (PIC 1) Monif C two piece - comes in various colors but I was eyeing the blue, black or black&white, though I am nowhere near as busty as the models so I'm unsure on fit of this, though it has that va-va-voom factor I'd like and plenty of coverage.
http://monifc.com/sao-paulo-hi.....black.html

2. (PIC 2) Land's End white tahiti paisley bikini. This might be a bit too revealing for me and my current body shape.
http://www.landsend.com/produc....._247046_57

3. I like this one a lot and the price is great but of course it is sold out of my size online
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sudd.....ct+Reviews

4. Eyeing this one on ebay too
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2X-18-.....4857856104

5. Asos Curve, but again may be too revealing
http://us.asos.com/ASOS-CURVE-.....nQvUHJvZC8.

6. I like this print a lot but the top is sold out in my size, could call to some stores to see if it is available.
http://www.lanebryant.com/swim.....tedSize=26

7. Just came across this one on ebay, LOVE but doubt the XL would fit, maybe by Sept if I lose some weight?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-VT.....53fb4e6661

Regardless - if I am going to buy, I am going to have to act quickly because supplies seem to be dwindling fast.

FWIW I am blonde with blue eyes and fair skinned.

Or another option is to just wear my black one piece and a cover-up on top and try to feel fab. I do like this cover-up
http://www.simplybe.com/beachw.....t/pk197el/

Input, dear Fabbers?

Thanks!
abc

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Urgent

20 replies

Latest reply was from abc

Glory

Veteran

Wonderful on the trip news with DH.
I am of 2 minds on this but have never been to Brazil.
I think the idea of a fun coverup is fab and would be a great alternative to rushing around trying to find a suit. Better for sun protection too
It might be fun to have a new suit for the special trip and even if you only wear it once perhaps that would be ok if it was an excellent price. If you are able to stop at your local walmart for the one you have above they may have it.
I am linking to this coverup my g/f just bought and it is so lovely.
http://oldnavy.gapcanada.ca/br.....=525545003

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

1. Get a new suit. Get a great new suit for right now. If you lose weight in the future - great. But you are going to Rio! Go, enjoy it, and feel great about yourself!

I love love love love LOVE #1. And #6 and #7! It looks like there are a LOT of #7 in stock, so I would say bookmark it, and re-visit if you find you're able to lose the weight in time, order it.

More than anything, don't pressure yourself to lose weight by a deadline. It's the worst kind of pressure anyone can put on themselves. Get a suit you love now, that fits you now. Live in the now, enjoy the now! If you lose the weight, give the suit to someone who can use it, or donate it.

2. Get the caftan, it's gorgeous! And bring your one-piece. That way, if you spend several days at the beach, you can rotate your suits, wear one while the other is drying on the towel bar

Have you visited Pin Up Girl Clothing? They have some seriously CUTE retro pin-up suits in a wide array of sizes.

https://www.pinupgirlclothing.com/

And omg, have the BEST TIME EVER!!! I wish I could go to Brazil! I love love love me some Brazilian music!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I just want to say that when I went on vacation to a place where everyone -- and I mean EVERYONE -- wore two-pieces, I left my one-piece in the suitcase and wore my only bikini every day. I came home from that trip and promptly bought two more bikinis so i would be prepared for future beach vacations. I would have felt far more self-conscious in the one-piece than showing my middle-aged pasty white bod. I say find a bikini you like and enjoy it! Have a blast!

rute

Veteran

Eh eh, everyone wear tiny two pieces swimsuit! That's true. Love the second

rachylou

Veteran

I say live it up I like the ASOS and the Rockabilly one.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Buy the suit and a great cover up and have a blast!!

Yes, you will lose weight. But that is okay. You deserve to look great now. And you can buy your next suit when you are at your goal weight.

abc

Veteran

Thanks everyone, for your comments and reassurance.

I am probably going to splurge on a suit AND a cover-up. This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip so I am going to spend the money and not look back. I'm going to Rio for goodness sake!

Glory, I am going to check out that coverup. Thanks for the link.

LBD, thanks for the advice and the link. I love the retro styles so I will check it out. I love Brazilian music, too!

Janet, you know exactly what I'm talking about! This sentence really struck with me: "I would have felt far more self-conscious in the one-piece than showing my middle-aged pasty white bod." Thanks so much.

rute, ha, thanks! I guess you know where I'm going, then, huh?!

rachylou, oh yeah, I do plan on living it up! Thanks!

Suz, thanks for the encouragement. I think I've come to accept that I need to spend the $ to feel good now. What happens in the future will happen then. I need to live in the "now" for this situation. Thanks again!

Anonymous

Well, I was left with lots of stretch marks after my pregnancy and cannot wear two piece swimsuits, however, I always seem to manage to get me some super sexy and flirtly stuff. I just bought this suit and I think is amazing. I would add it to the mix, in case you end up considering a one piece

http://m.nordstrom.com/Product.....wordsearch
To me, it is Rio sexy!

It also comes in pink ( this one is Angie's pick)
http://m.nordstrom.com/Product.....wordsearch

I also have this one:
http://m.nordstrom.com/Product.....in=product

and I want this one:
http://m.nordstrom.com/Product.....tiveSearch

And this one:
http://m.nordstrom.com/Product.....tiveSearch

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Zap, that monokini is a nice stand-in for a bikini!

Lyrebirdgully

abc, don't feel guilty about spending on another swimsuit. My take on resort swimsuits is that they are a High Investment Item for a Special Occasion- same as an outfit for a wedding etc, you may only wear it once or twice but the major benefit is that you can enjoy the event/occasion without your pleasure being spoilt by niggling feelings of selfconsciouness because you your dress is not the norm. The question is, when you are actually on that beach in Rio, whether the satisfaction of knowing that you have saved (say) $200 by not buying a new swimsuit would provide you enough happiness to balance out any selfconsciousness. IMO, your holiday is a special event so having a swimsuit that you feel totally at ease in is part of supporting your intention to fell really relaxed. I well remember feeling selfconscious on the beach in my teenage years, and for myself that's not something I would look forward to a holiday.

abc

Veteran

Zapotee, you make a good point. I guess I should consider some one piece suits that have the "IT" factor.

Janet, I agree - that monokini is sizzlin' hot!

Lyrebirdgully, wow, you really hit the nail on the head on my feelings. I appreciate the advice and analysis of the situation.

Thanks again to all. I'm still scouring the internet for options. I might post more on this subject as I get closer to making a decision.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, if I thought for a second there was enough support in the bust, I would be all over that monokini! I think it would hide my new laparoscopy scars!

abc

Veteran

Doesn't necessarily fall in the sexy category but what do you guys think of this one:
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/o.....-plus-size

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think it's really cute. Love its retro integrity, as Angie would say. It feels fun and flirty.

Lyrebirdgully, that was an exceptionally astute analysis. What an excellent point!

Glad you're going to splurge on something, abc.

abc

Veteran

Thanks, Suz.

Since I have limited time (only one trip to the US before I go), I am thinking of ordering several suits to try on, and several cover-ups that match.

I'm thinking of these combos:
pic 1 - Monif C suit in navy blue, paired with the fringed caftan, though not 100% sure this site ships to US
http://www.simplybe.com/beachw.....t/pk197el/

pic 2 - Monif C suit in black and white, paired with this coverup in either white or black
http://www1.macys.com/shop/pro.....lotId%3D23
or this simple black coverup though the stripes/patterns may compete
http://www.swimsuitsforall.com.....nic?p=2670

pic 3 - Monif C suit in coral, paired with this coverup (not sure if it matches)
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....=525545002
or with this one, love the zebra print
http://www1.macys.com/shop/pro.....lotId%3D68
or with any of the coverups mentioned above in #2

pic 4 - Another option is the red polkadot number I linked to above.

And finally I think I will call Lane Bryant to see if I can track down the top as mentioned in my original post item #6. Would pair with a white coverup, probably.

All of this hinges on availability, I am calling Monif C in the am. Cross fingers for me!

As with my pants bottoms and shoes, I am trying to avoid solid black. I am fair-skinned and I'm slowly realizing that other colors might be more flattering on me.

Thanks again, everyone!

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Anonymous

Polka dottie is super cute!
The gottex swimsuit I posted is available in plus sizing too, FYI.
To be honest, I am not a fan of the high waisted bikinis though. They just never seem to lay right and create a weird waist proportion. Also, I seem to get a band of skin popping out (that small area of exposed skin bulges out, no bueno)
Why don't you try a standard bikini or a tankini? There are also one piece swimsuits that are like a bikini but are connected by a mesh. Like this one:
http://m.nordstrom.com/Product.....38;filter=

There are lots of other options of very flattering and sexy swimwear out there! I swear, I am usually the one getting the compliments on my swimwear because I look different. I also go all out: Big hat, matching cover up, cute flip flops, and plenty of attitude !

abc

Veteran

Hey Zapotee, oooooh I didn't know the ones you linked to came in plus...running over to Nordies to check, as I liked them but knew the standard 16 wouldn't fit, esp since it said to size up if I recall. Thanks for the nudge.

Yeah I have the same fear about the high waisted numbers. I have had better luck in the past with regular bottoms, and even a slightly higher cut - the Monif C ones seem to be almost straight across the leg and for some reason (leg lengthening visual I suppose) the slightly higher cut looks better on me. About the waist area, I am worried about it being too high, too, but...I am post 2 babies now and figured maybe I DID need some higher waist coverage after all.

Hmmm, lots to think about. I will probably end up ordering several, trying on and returning...just hoping for one winner in the bunch!

Re your comment on standard bikinis and tankinis...I also just dug through my old (OLD!) bag o' swimwear and found one standard bikini that fits, but doesn't exactly flatter. I might take it along under the assumption that I would wear a coverup over it and probably not take it off.

This is so hard! I didn't realize I had a wardrobe hole for cute/sexy swimwear until today!

Anonymous

Yes, you have to try a whole bunch! Keep us posted, how exciting!

lyn67

Veteran

I don't know much about Copacabana:-(, but I vote a one piece but with some cuts out on the back or so-to look more lightweight. I recently bought this one bra sized swimsuit on the ebay.
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....r-help-pls
and am very happy with it! Love it has UW buit in bra-so has great support, and love the cut out back, too. (rutching on the waist is also fab!).

I don't like tankini sets for myself because the tops are not long enough for me and so they always ride up on my tummy:-(, but I have a one piece swimsuit which is just looking like a tankini set. It has dark bottom and turqoise top, and I also find this kind of blocking very flatering.

A lovely two piece will also work better if you have a separate swim skirt to put on when needed. I also vote on uni colors, or colour blocked ones more then for florals, but love the dotty coral one in your nr 4 pictie(in the comments).

abc

Veteran

Lyn67 the suit you got looks super! Could be an option. It looks like it is on eBay UK but I would need it shipped to the US. I'm going to ask about the shipping and I will let you know how it goes.

Another (duh) idea is to shop B&M stores when I am back in the US in a few weeks. Other than Macy's and Nordstrom does anyone know of stores that might carry plus size swimwear that skews to the sexy side rather than the frumpy side?

Thanks!